Impressive win gets 18s up and running

Nottingham Forest’s Under 18s got their pre-season schedule off to a winning start as they ran out 3-1 victors over Paços de Ferreira this evening.

Goals from Gerry McDonagh, Liam Adams and Adam Crookes were enough to earn Forest the win after they had fallen behind to an early strike from their Portuguese hosts.

Kieran Hayes had the opening chance of the game as he raced away from the home defence but a Paços de Ferreira man recovered sufficiently to make a goal-saving challenge.

The home side took the lead on 16 minutes having earlier hit the post but Forest responded superbly and after Ben Brereton had been brought down by the goalkeeper, McDonagh coolly slotted home the spot-kick.

Brereton headed straight at the goalkeeper from an Ismael Diallo cross shortly before half-time but The Reds were soon ahead after the break.

A strong run and cross from Hayes from the right-hand channel was rewarded by Adams as he side-footed home from close range to put the visitors ahead.

And that victory was confirmed on 69 minutes as substitute Crookes met a Tom Gamblen corner to thump a header into the net to open the Under 18s’ pre-season campaign with a win.

The Under 18s round off their pre-season tour of Portugal with a game against Liverpool FC Warriors America on Monday evening (kick-off 6pm).

Keep up to date with the Under 21's and Under 18's pre-season tour of Portugal by following @NFFC_Academy.